Kerala rights body seeks tighter regulation of private clinics after surgical death

The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) in Kerala has initiated steps to tighten regulatory controls over private clinics after a boy died following a routine tonsil surgery at a facility in Kannur district. The incident has raised concerns about the operational standards and safety protocols at unregulated private medical establishments across the state.

In response to the death, the Commission has issued formal directives to the Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department, instructing officials to conduct comprehensive verification of doctor qualifications, professional registrations, and staff credentials at private clinics performing surgical procedures. The move aims to ensure that such facilities maintain adequate standards of medical practice and patient safety.

The directive represents an effort to address gaps in the oversight of private healthcare providers, particularly those offering surgical services outside the framework of established hospitals and accredited centres. The SHRC's intervention signals growing scrutiny of private medical practice in Kerala, where hundreds of small clinics operate with varying levels of regulatory compliance.

Health department authorities are expected to conduct audits and implement stricter licensing requirements for private surgical facilities. The measures may include verification of medical degrees, valid registration with professional councils, and compliance with infection control and safety standards mandated for surgical procedures.